LONDON - British finance minister Sajid Javid will try to convince voters on Thursday that only the governing Conservative Party can be trusted with the future of the economy, painting the opposition Labour Party as fiscally irresponsible.
The fight over the future of the world’s fifth largest economy is likely to dominate the second day of official campaigning ahead of an unpredictable Dec. 12 general election designed to end years of deadlock over Brexit. Javid has a picture of free-market icon and former prime minister Margaret Thatcher on his office wall. McDonnell once brandished a copy of Communist leader Mao Zedong’s ‘Little Red book’ in parliament and suggested the government heed its advice.
On Thursday, McDonnell, who proudly opposes the current model of capitalism and promises to shake up the financial sector if he takes control at the Treasury, will pledge an additional 150 billion pounds of spending.